The Recession’s Impact on Children in Crisis

According to Anne Mitchell, President of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), it will take three to five years after the current recession ends for a child to recover fully from the effects of the economic downturn we are experiencing today. Rosetta stone software
Prior to the current budget crises and economic failures, one in ten Connecticut children, to name just one state as an example, already lived below the poverty line. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, social workers have noted a dramatic rise in cases of child abuse and neglect due to the current recession. Various reports show the rise ranges from 20 percent to 40 percent. A survey of law enforcement officials reveals that the majority of them (88%) believe the recession will cause a spike in cases of child abuse and neglect, and that it is therefore vital that support for child advocacy programs such as Head Start, home visiting programs and after school programs, be maintained and even increased. Child advocacy groups nationwide are well aware that historically, bad economic times increase the stresses on families and children to the point where greater numbers in cases of child abuse and neglect will result. During straitened economic times such as these, government support for programs to help those at-risk families is often reduced or removed completely. Many individuals who have traditionally helped with donations for children Rosetta Stone Portuguese Levev 1-3
who are at risk, and groups that make contributions, often cut back on the amount they give during a recession. Children’s advocacy groups everywhere are actively engaging in discussion about the unique challenges the economic depression poses to child abuse prevention. As Executive Director of Covenant to Care for Children, a Connecticut child advocacy group, I worry that our children are not able to wait for federal leadership to be in place, or for state governments to come to agreement, or for school systems to succeed in their efforts to help children in crisis or for nonprofit outreach volunteer organizations to expand their programs.Covenant to Care for Children is actively monitoring these conversations and where we can, we are participating. We will do all we can to advocate for results based accountability, strategic thinking, as well as programs and spending that maximize the positive impact on our children in crisis.Also, as we move through these difficult economic times, I am keeping my eyes open for tools parents, caregivers and mentors can use to minimize the fear of the future we may collectively communicate to Rosetta Stone Korean Levev 1-3
our children. It is crucial as we prepare to celebrate April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month that we understand the added economic stressors we are all feeling contribute to the possibility of child abuse and neglect. We must offer respite and support to our friends and neighbors whenever possible to help each other through and to protect our children.We, as adults, need to learn to monitor our speech and the impact of messaging regarding the economy that our children experience. Please visit aaprg/disasters/economy.cfm for a wonderful tool in working with your kids during this time.